FL - Somer Thompson, 7, Orange Park, 19 Oct 2009 #30

[sadnpod]

Just to clarify. You are saying that DT did NOT ask SP to stay and wait for the children to come home. You are saying that he stayed for no real reason, waiting for her to come home? But...in the meantime, the children WOULD come home. So how do we get to the point of DT texting him to ask if they got home? And him responding Somer wasn't there, etc., etc., onward.

I am still trying to figure out how and why they would concoct this story (you say they had hours to do it). I can't picture an adequate scenario. If he is staying for no matter what reason, it makes it look good that there is an adult there. There would be no reason to tell LE anything. He was there waiting for the kids, as an adult, period. Why explain his presence if there was nothing to hide? Please excuse me if I am not getting it. Thanks.

What I am saying is that he wasnt there to babysit. I think thats why he sent AT back out twice and didnt immediately call DT. It wasnt his responsibility. I think his presence would need to be explained to LE, at least I hope so since it was something unusual. He had never babysat before, friends for years, but never responsible for the kids before this day. I think odds were on any other day that noone was there. Possibly AB, but she had a babysitter pick up her own daughter, so I assume she wasnt there in the afternoons either, at least not every day. I think DT said SP was there for the kids because his presence needed explanation, as well as supplying an adult babysitter for LE. Please excuse me if it doesnt make sense..:crazy:

 

[pinamia]

I'm sure someone will answer this but before I read on the word "concrete" proof stands out.

There is a difference between "concrete" (real, substantial) proof and DOCUMENTED (as in investigation) proof. This can be a problem with DCF especially in Florida. We all know from sad past events that investigators do not document everything and make lots of mistakes, some of which have included returning kids to very bad parents and ending up in deaths.

Personally, I get fed up with semantics. Those of us who are struggling to be non-judgemental and fair and balanced still can't ignore the elephant standing in the corner no matter how many people say "whatever you do, don't look at that elephant".

Whether DCF was ever called or not (and if they weren't, shame on people who didn't want to get involved), DT put her children at risk. If you have children and you have to work, you make arrangements for them to be properly cared for. There are plenty of free or low cost after school programs available in Florida. I don't know how much money DT made to supplement the $40,000.00 per year that her live-in makes. Apparently she usually got off work about 4:00 p.m. Arrangements for that time period would not be costly. She noted in one interview that the neighborhood was so safe she could "fall asleep with the garage door open and t.v.s and stuff out there and never think twice about it" (paraphrased). Her seven year old daughter consistently ran off (for what reason - she had some problems) and remained at various places depending on who is doing the talking: searching for people to play with, climbing trees, hanging out by water, etc., etc., and DT KNEW about it because as we know she had a list of people to call. And I don't care what people say is the reason she flubbed it, she stated right on t.v. that Somer had never, never done this before. A lonely, frustrated child about who in hindsight mom wistfully said, "well....she was picked on a lot".

This says that rather than take responsibility for her kids, she left it up to the good will or availability of others. Depending on the day, it could be neighbors, babysitters (who quit because of the stress of worrying about a missing child), male friends, or a 10 year old. Please show me where a 10 year old babysitting is acceptable? Did the 10 year old have a key or was the house usually left open? To whom? This site and many others have debated DT's role in this tragedy since it happened. So again, the facts. These are her children. It was her responsibility to care for them or find someone trustworthy to provide care in her absence. The children were left with a variety of people or no people, and dealt with a variety of males coming in and out of the mother's life. This child had problems. She ran away but always came back. Not this time. She was killed. The killer knew this child was running loose. Whose fault was it? Not the bus system, and not the poor 10 year old who will carry this burden for the rest of her life.

Neglect. The word signifies not carrying out a responsibility. In this case, it is appropriate. Whether DCF said it or says it now, it is clear.

Well said. You said everything I've been thinking since day one. I think DT was unable to care for Somer the way she needed to be cared for. Somer needed so much more and deserved so much more.

I blame DT's parents and sisters for not intervening. They must have known how Somer was as well. Everyone must have known. How this woman was allowed to neglect this child is horrifying. Didn't anyone report her? This murder didn't have to happen. If only some adult cared to help get her home safely that day. I don't think Somer should have walked a mile home from school. She was way too young.

 

[human]

I respectfully disagree with you regarding the school system. The school system is in place to educate children. The school system needs the assistance of reliable and involved parents to make choices regarding the children. The school system is not responsible for children after school. Nevertheless, the school system and the board of education do everything they can to make resources available to parents, regardless of their ability to pay. There are plenty of clubs, activities and after school programs available. But it is not up to seven year old children to make these arrangements. There are also ways parents could and should get involved in issues like this. Plenty of moms who do not work and could be monitors, lots of creative ways that children can be kept safe if people care enough to implement them.

We are talking about a seven year old who ran off for more than an hour every day and frustrated everyone who watched her. It was not the school system's responsibility to deal with this issue, and from what is being reported here, it's likely that the teachers were concerned about her. But they are not her parents.

I can tell you that some teachers of 7 year old children do make them responsible. If a child can't get to school because the parent is sleeping or whatever, I have seen teachers purchase alarm clocks for children so they can come to school because the children do want to come to school.

I am laughing (but sadly) on your statement that it isn't up to 7 year old children to make the arrangements. Hear! Hear!!!

 

[Cheewawa007]

I'm sure someone will answer this but before I read on the word "concrete" proof stands out.

There is a difference between "concrete" (real, substantial) proof and DOCUMENTED (as in investigation) proof. This can be a problem with DCF especially in Florida. We all know from sad past events that investigators do not document everything and make lots of mistakes, some of which have included returning kids to very bad parents and ending up in deaths.

Personally, I get fed up with semantics. Those of us who are struggling to be non-judgemental and fair and balanced still can't ignore the elephant standing in the corner no matter how many people say "whatever you do, don't look at that elephant".

Whether DCF was ever called or not (and if they weren't, shame on people who didn't want to get involved), DT put her children at risk. If you have children and you have to work, you make arrangements for them to be properly cared for. There are plenty of free or low cost after school programs available in Florida. I don't know how much money DT made to supplement the $40,000.00 per year that her live-in makes. Apparently she usually got off work about 4:00 p.m. Arrangements for that time period would not be costly. She noted in one interview that the neighborhood was so safe she could "fall asleep with the garage door open and t.v.s and stuff out there and never think twice about it" (paraphrased). Her seven year old daughter consistently ran off (for what reason - she had some problems) and remained at various places depending on who is doing the talking: searching for people to play with, climbing trees, hanging out by water, etc., etc., and DT KNEW about it because as we know she had a list of people to call. And I don't care what people say is the reason she flubbed it, she stated right on t.v. that Somer had never, never done this before. A lonely, frustrated child about who in hindsight mom wistfully said, "well....she was picked on a lot".

This says that rather than take responsibility for her kids, she left it up to the good will or availability of others. Depending on the day, it could be neighbors, babysitters (who quit because of the stress of worrying about a missing child), male friends, or a 10 year old. Please show me where a 10 year old babysitting is acceptable? Did the 10 year old have a key or was the house usually left open? To whom? This site and many others have debated DT's role in this tragedy since it happened. So again, the facts. These are her children. It was her responsibility to care for them or find someone trustworthy to provide care in her absence. The children were left with a variety of people or no people, and dealt with a variety of males coming in and out of the mother's life. This child had problems. She ran away but always came back. Not this time. She was killed. The killer knew this child was running loose. Whose fault was it? Not the bus system, and not the poor 10 year old who will carry this burden for the rest of her life.

Neglect. The word signifies not carrying out a responsibility. In this case, it is appropriate. Whether DCF said it or says it now, it is clear.

*Chill out there chickenpants. To be perfectly honest, none of this gives anyone the right to murder another human being - PERIOD.

 

[pinamia]

*Chill out there chickenpants. To be perfectly honest, none of this gives anyone the right to murder another human being - PERIOD.

Just the opportunity which is basically the most important component.

 

[ChickenPants]

Me and my friends and family text all the time while at work. Its the best invention since sliced bread..lol..Esp at work..Don't start its addicting...

Not where I work. One issue is patient confidentiality. You are not allowed to snap photos, even if the pt. says they want it, without a written release, under strict supervision. Administrator posted anyone caught with cell phone at work, immediate dismissal.

 

[Cheewawa007]

Just the opportunity which is basically the most important component.

The opportunity is always there pin.... just look at Polly Klass, Elizabeth Smart (who luckily was not murdered), Samantha Runyion, Jessica Lunsford, and the list goes on and on.

 

[pinamia]

The opportunity is always there pin.... just look at Polly Klass, Elizabeth Smart (who luckily was not murdered), Samantha Runyion, Jessica Lunsford, and the list goes on and on.

No opportunity isn't always there. You can't leave a child unsupervised and then say it's the murderers fault alone. Kids need to be supervised.

Opportunity decreases with supervision if it didn't the list would be through the roof. Polly Klass, Jessica Lunsford Danielle Van Damm and Elizabeth Smart were taken from their own homes in the middle of the night. A simple alarm system could have helped. Samantha Runyion was left unsupervised outside by her grandmother.

http://www.happinessonline.org/LoveAndHelpChildren/index.html

 

[ChickenPants]

What I am saying is that he wasnt there to babysit. I think thats why he sent AT back out twice and didnt immediately call DT. It wasnt his responsibility. I think his presence would need to be explained to LE, at least I hope so since it was something unusual. He had never babysat before, friends for years, but never responsible for the kids before this day. I think odds were on any other day that noone was there. Possibly AB, but she had a babysitter pick up her own daughter, so I assume she wasnt there in the afternoons either, at least not every day. I think DT said SP was there for the kids because his presence needed explanation, as well as supplying an adult babysitter for LE. Please excuse me if it doesnt make sense..:crazy:

Yes...it (sadly) makes sense. So have lunch with DT, hang around for no apparent reason, oh here come the kids, whatever...Somer isn't there? So? What else is new? Go out and look for her. Ahhhh....I don't wanna call your mom. I'll just sit here and meditate on her indigo deficiencies and how she is has problems but not MY problem. WHOSE PROBLEM WAS IT? Who cared?????????????????

 

[txsvicki]

No opportunity isn't always there. You can't leave a child unsupervised and then say it's the murderers fault alone. Kids need to be supervised.

Opportunity decreases with supervision if it didn't the list would be through the roof. Polly Klass, Jessica Lunsford Danielle Van Damm and Elizabeth Smart were taken from their own homes in the middle of the night. A simple alarm system could have helped. Samantha Runyion was left unsupervised outside by her grandmother.

http://www.happinessonline.org/LoveAndHelpChildren/index.html

I agree. An alarm system or even simple stick on door and window alarms plus a very alert protective dog roaming the house or sleeping with the kids would also have helped. None of the people listed above were at fault, but we pretty much all know now that we have to provide constant supervision plus take extra precautions and just hope that some nut doesn't bust in with a gun like happened to the Groenes.

 

[ChickenPants]

*Chill out there chickenpants. To be perfectly honest, none of this gives anyone the right to murder another human being - PERIOD.

I honestly do not know what you mean.

You asked for some kind of evidence that DT was neglectful, specifically were there DCF reports. I responded regarding all of the "concrete" ways DT did not provide adequate supervision for Somer and her siblings.

The murderer was given the opportunity to kill this little girl because she was by herself. If she had been with an adult, this would not have happened. No adult supervision was provided. What does this have to do with the murderer having the "right" to kill. A murderer will murder if he can murder.

It seems as if you are saying that DT should not be accountable for any of the circumstances and implying that the murderer acted in a way that is not connected to those circumstances, and I disagree.

 

[ChickenPants]

Can anyone tell me if DT was involved with Harleys, motorcycles, the motorcycle community before she had a relationship with CPC? When I saw her interacting on TV during the fund-raiser and concert, she seemed to be oddly out of place, even though she was wearing a bandana and fake face tatoo, etc. If you look at the crowd out there, and then up at her, she doesn't fit in, somehow. I know one thing, the little one up on the stage looked REALLY uncomfortable. It's not that important, I am just wondering.

 

[ChickenPants]

Does anyone else think that the reason SP is the administrator on the VYSTAR account for family donations is because he works at a "lending" institution? Would there be any other logical reason to put him in charge of such a large amount of money? As he was a pallbearer at the funeral and is now connected in such a significant way with this money, it seems to me that he is indeed a very valued and intimate friend. CPC is not technically "family", is he? I mean, they are not married.

I wonder who has access to make withdrawals for that account, not that it has direct bearing on a murder. Just strange circumstances surrounding Somer's world. I think there was another fundraiser recently. Does anybody know if CPC is still working, or if SP's healing practice is still up and running?

Just wondering since LE pointed out that any significant changes in a person's demeanor or lifestyle following the crime would be a reason to pause and take a look. No tomatoes, please. I have an acid problem. lol

 

[ChickenPants]

Oh go ahead and throw the tomatoes...I was wondering....do ST (DT's soon to be ex) and the older girl (step sibling of Somer who does not live here) qualify for therapy or assistance since they lost a loved one through a violent crime? Are they beneficiary of any funds raised in memory of daughter/sister? Or does it depend on where one lives in proximity to the scene of the crime? It just seems to me that if DT is hurting, then everyone in Somer's family is hurting, too.

 

[ChickenPants]

The opportunity is always there pin.... just look at Polly Klass, Elizabeth Smart (who luckily was not murdered), Samantha Runyion, Jessica Lunsford, and the list goes on and on.

Yes, I was just thinking of all of those cases. ONe only has to log on to WS to see how awful it is. And they are on the news every day. Horrendous crimes - it seems that each time it is worse it rachets up even more like a sick competition.

So that is even more reason to be cautious. DT had to be aware of these things you are talking about, too. Why didn't she do something to protect her kids ... why ask for trouble?

 

[Ms Suzanne]

Are there any new facts or any new information released on Somers Murder.Maybe it's good to stick and look at most of the facts known on Somers case.Maybe we will hear more soon.

 

[what about this?]

I honestly do not know what you mean.

You asked for some kind of evidence that DT was neglectful, specifically were there DCF reports. I responded regarding all of the "concrete" ways DT did not provide adequate supervision for Somer and her siblings.

The murderer was given the opportunity to kill this little girl because she was by herself. If she had been with an adult, this would not have happened. No adult supervision was provided. What does this have to do with the murderer having the "right" to kill. A murderer will murder if he can murder.

It seems as if you are saying that DT should not be accountable for any of the circumstances and implying that the murderer acted in a way that is not connected to those circumstances, and I disagree.

I agree with you that the opportunity was there, and was there often, as the perp may have known. However, sadly, if someone Somer knew personally wanted her gone (in retaliation for something or for any other reason), they would have found a way even if she had been better supervised.

 

[Cheewawa007]

I honestly do not know what you mean.

You asked for some kind of evidence that DT was neglectful, specifically were there DCF reports. I responded regarding all of the "concrete" ways DT did not provide adequate supervision for Somer and her siblings.

The murderer was given the opportunity to kill this little girl because she was by herself. If she had been with an adult, this would not have happened. No adult supervision was provided. What does this have to do with the murderer having the "right" to kill. A murderer will murder if he can murder.

It seems as if you are saying that DT should not be accountable for any of the circumstances and implying that the murderer acted in a way that is not connected to those circumstances, and I disagree.

I asked for concrete proof that the DCF was previously called to investigate DT last year (which was said by a poster)... that's all. Is this a fact or just hearsay...because if it is a fact, then apparently they did not find sufficient evidence to remove the kids from her care - kwim?

 

[pinamia]

I agree. An alarm system or even simple stick on door and window alarms plus a very alert protective dog roaming the house or sleeping with the kids would also have helped. None of the people listed above were at fault, but we pretty much all know now that we have to provide constant supervision plus take extra precautions and just hope that some nut doesn't bust in with a gun like happened to the Groenes.

We have to work very hard not to be victims in this world. From identity theft to child abductions. Our safety is in our own hands. We can take proactive steps or just trust that others will do the right thing which they often don't.

 

[ChickenPants]

Are there any new facts or any new information released on Somers Murder.Maybe it's good to stick and look at most of the facts known on Somers case.Maybe we will hear more soon.

I look every day and as far as I know there is no new evidence.

As far as facts...I am looking at what was reported as "facts" in a "new" way. What people tell the police is not always the truth. So if there is no new evidence, I'm all for going back to the beginning. Motive. Opportunity. Behavior afterward. RSO's in area ruled out. Nobody else ruled out.